"We'll leave it here and let some one else take it up the stream or use it if he goes down. I think it will carry clear to the Gulf of California if he wants to try it."
"How about that map, String?" demanded Fred as he turned again to his tall companion.
"Right in my pocket," declared John promptly, "and dry too. I told you I was not going overboard this time, and I kept my promise, didn't I?"
"You certainly did," laughed Fred. "Now, then, what are we to do next?" he added, turning to the guide as he spoke.
Pete, however, did not reply. He had advanced several yards up the shore and was drawing from the loose soil several pieces that evidently were parts of a boat that had been wrecked.
"Do you see those?" he inquired, holding up some of the parts he had found.
"Yes," answered Fred. "It looks as if a boat had been wrecked down here, doesn't it?"
"It was 'wrecked' all right," answered Pete, "but I'm wondering if either of you boys knows what boat it was?"
"What boat was it?" inquired John, advancing to the place where the guide was standing.
"It's our lost skiff," replied Pete.